7 Tips for Travelers To Avoid Scams
What are travelers?
The origins of The Traveler are unknown. Humanity first found it when it arrived on Mars. It ushered in a Golden Age of humanity that made it possible for people to leave Earth and settle on other worlds in the Solar System.
How do you avoid scams when traveling?
Being one step ahead of the thief is the best strategy for avoiding these travel scams. First, spread out all of your valuables; never store all of your passports, credit cards, or other vital papers in one location. Second, never store anything valuable in the front or back pockets of your jeans.
Scams are unfortunately all too common when traveling. Unsuspecting tourists are often taken advantage of by locals or companies that target travelers specifically because they know they’re more likely to be a target.
Whether you’re planning your next vacation or have just returned from one, it’s good to be aware of scams that can happen when traveling so you don’t fall victim to them yourself. There are many different scams involving taxis, hotels, restaurants, ATMs, and much more. These tips will help you stay safe while keeping your wallet happy when you travel.
Use licensed taxis and only flag them down from the correct spot
Taxis in many countries around the world are not maintained to the same standard that they are in the U.S. or U.K., but this may not always be the case. Some countries have drivers who are not licensed, while others have drivers who do not drive the correct type of car.
When traveling, always make sure you use a taxi from a legitimate company or one that is recommended by others. Also, make sure you know the name of the company you are using and the type of car you’re getting into.
Many tourists fall victim to being scammed by fake taxis that either charge a lot of money or drop them off in a dangerous area. To avoid this, avoid hailing a taxi from the street, and only get into one that has the company name on it. The best way to do this is to walk to the nearest hotel and ask the concierge to call you a cab. Travelers
Don’t believe everything you read or hear
When getting advice on where to go or what places to visit, be careful who you talk to. People who work in the tourism industry are often happy to help tourists, but some may try to steer you to places where they get a commission. And, at times, other people you talk to may just be giving you bad information.
For example, if you’re in Paris, you may hear that you should visit the Eiffel Tower. While you should add that to your Paris itinerary, you should also make sure you visit the Louvre.
This is because the Eiffel Tower gets about 7 million visitors per year, while only 8 million people visit the city. You should also be careful about reading reviews from travel websites or apps as well. While there are many legitimate places where you can leave reviews, there are also many fake ones. Be sure you only read reviews from legitimate sources.
Check your bill, no matter what eatery you visit
Whether you’ve eaten at a restaurant or bought something from a convenience store, you should always check your bill. This is especially important when eating at a restaurant as some places have been known to charge customers two or three times what their meal is worth.
When eating at restaurants in touristy areas, it’s even more important to check your bill because many places jack up the price for people visiting from other countries. When buying items from convenience stores, be sure to read the labels on everything you buy. In many countries, it’s common to mark up the price of items such as water.
If you do find things that are overpriced, you can negotiate a lower price. Many store owners will reduce the price if you ask them to.
Be careful when using ATMs and don’t reveal your PIN
ATMs are a great way to get cash while you’re traveling, but you need to be careful where you use them. In many parts of the world, there are ATMs that are designed to steal money from the people who use them. These ATMs will charge you a fee, but they will also steal your PIN.
One way to avoid this is to use an ATM inside a bank rather than one on the street. Another is to stay away from ATMs that look like they are in disrepair. If one ATM looks sketchy, they probably all do. When you do use an ATM, don’t enter your PIN with the card facing you.
When you do that, you are showing the machine which buttons to press. Instead, face the card towards you and type in your PIN with your hand covering the keys. This makes it much harder for someone to get your PIN.
Learn a little of the language before traveling.
While many people travel to learn about other cultures and languages, you’re not going to get very far if you don’t know anything about it. Before you travel, try to learn at least a little of the language spoken in the country you’re visiting. It’s not necessary to be fluent in the language or to know it inside and out. If you can say a few basic things like “please” and “thank you,” you’ll be much more likely to have positive interactions with locals.
Watch out for tour guides offering free tours
Tour guides are a great way to see a city, but some companies will try to trick you into using them. Some tour guides will offer you a “free tour,” but they may also ask you to tip them at the end. This is against the law in the U.S. and in many other countries. When touring, always use a tour guide that you pay for. Never accept a free tour from someone and don’t go on a free tour unless you know you’re going to pay for it.
How to Avoid Tourist Scams in Europe in 7 Steps
Being the victim of a scam is never enjoyable; it's many people's worst fear and can turn a nice vacation or a once-in-a-lifetime trip into an event you'd rather forget. While traveling, when you're somewhat out of your comfort zone and getting acquainted with your surroundings, it's easier to be misled.
There are many people out there who, regrettably, make a life by defrauding gullible visitors. Here are a few easy precautions you can take to reduce your risk of being scammed because Europe, with its many famous landmarks and tourist attractions, is particularly bad for these kinds of scams and traps.
Question a Great Deal
When you are not on vacation and you come across an offer that looks too good to be true, you will almost always discover that it is just that by delving into the details. If you're not at home, it shouldn't be any different. Do not feel compelled to sign up right away if the offer appears a little too good to be true. Prior to boarding, take your time, do your own research, and make sure to assemble as much data as you can.
Get to Know the Currency
When visiting a new place, one of the first things you notice is the currency, so it's a good idea to spend some time getting familiar with the coins, notes, and their relative values. Before leaving, it is worthwhile to at least do a little study.
It's useful because, for instance, the €2 coin resembles coins worth far less, or even nothing, like the 500 lira coin, the Italian currency used before the Euro was introduced.
Many towns also provide currency exchange services, and in certain underdeveloped nations, individuals will be waiting to welcome you and provide unofficial exchanges as soon as you exit the airport, thus having familiarity with the local currency and
Research Scams
Before you leave, it's a good idea to conduct some homework by searching up the most recent tourist scams in your destination to see if con artists there have any go-to gimmicks. You will be less likely to fall victim to fraud if you know what to look out for.
Some well-known scams in Europe include The Lost Salesman, The Friendship Bracelet, and The Found-a-Ring (where a person will approach with a ring and ask if you dropped it; when you say no, they'll show you that it's pure gold and try to sell it to you for much more than they actually paid for it).
However, as more people become aware of these scams and the word spreads, new and more inventive techniques frequently emerge.
Ask Around
It's a good idea to question local staff or other travelers about any noteworthy recent occurrences, potential danger zones, or previous frauds when you first arrive in your new surroundings. It only takes a few minutes to obtain the low-down from someone who has experience because nobody understands the terrain as they do. In addition, you might meet some new acquaintances or learn more about the area, such as the best bars or restaurants, from chats with the appropriate people.
Use Your Credit Card
If you give someone money and it turns out that you were scammed, it's quite improbable that you'll ever see that money again. Paying using a credit card is an excellent alternative if something goes wrong because you have a remedy available for most credit cards within 60 days of the charge showing. Deals that need upfront payment and don't provide a return for more than 60 days should also be avoided for this reason. Additionally, most cards provide some kind of payment protection against fraudulent usage, but before depending on this, make sure you are aware of the rules of your particular card.
Don’t Give Up on Information
Although it seems obvious, it's simple to let your guard down in a strange environment. Give private information, such as a credit card number or ID, only to people with whom you are entirely at ease. It doesn't take long to research the business or offer you're receiving, and you should be especially wary of salespeople that approach you aggressively or use high-pressure techniques to persuade you into signing up. Be aware of anyone who promises you a discount but has no qualifications or proof to support it; they might be a lone con artist or possibly part of a larger network of organized tourist fraud.
Use Common Sense
It's simple to get carried away or let your guard down when lounging on one of Europe's stunning beaches or drinking a few lagers in a Continental beer hall. While it's not a good idea to continually be on guard and you should be able to enjoy yourself while you're on vacation, it's still crucial to keep in mind and apply common sense and trust your instincts. Keep an eye out for warning signs that you might spot at home, and strike the correct balance between having fun and learning. The difference between your dream vacation and a vacation nightmare could be made with a little forethought, investigation, and good observation.
Conclusion
Traveling can be an amazing experience, but it can also be a little scary at times. These tips will help you avoid common scams when traveling, so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest. These days, it can sometimes feel as though scammers are everywhere. Whether it's on the internet or the telephone, you are likely to encounter a scammer at some point in your life. Scammers will often use tried and tested tricks to con you out of money or sensitive information, such as your bank account or login details.